New York Fashion Week SS13: The Instagram Diaries

Ok, so I know it’s a little late in the day to be writing about New York Fashion Week and I quite understand if, after the sheer volume of posts, tweets, instagrams and facebook updates I’ve already devoted to my experiences in the Big Apple, you don’t want to hear anymore about it. But let’s face it, there are just a couple of Paris shows left to go until fashion month is officially O.V.E.R and if the weather we’ve had so far in London is anything to go by, it’s going to be a long, cold gloomy Winter. So why not relive the past four weeks’ fabulousness one last time? Plus, I suspect that there might still be some foolish people out there who aren’t on Instagram and therefore missed out on these snaps during my fashion week social media bonanza. Technophobe’s, this one’s for you…

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Ella Catliff in Fashion Week Leave a comment

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the chicest of them all…

Now I’m not making excuses or anything, but thinking up blog posts during the Christmas/New Year period is pretty bloody tricky. Endless holiday-themed posts run the risk of being cheesey, boring and causing a widespread boycott of your blog. After all, there are only so many times one can use, read or hear the phrase “festive sparkle” before being overwhelmed with the desire to dress only in black for the rest of your life. But then again, it is the season to be jolly and ignoring it all together just seems plain miserable. The New Year is fast approaching and it seems a shame to let 2011 slip away without so much as acknowledging the 12 months of fashion which will soon be little more than a distant memory. So in an attempt to look back on the sartorial year we will soon be leaving behind without boring you, or myself, to tears I’ve decided to compile my own “best dressed” list for the year that’s about to be gone…

Name: Alexa Chung
Occupation: TV Presenter
USP: (that’s unique STYLE point btw) Geek Chic

Name: Florence Welch
Occupation: Singer
USP: Pre-Raphelite Locks and Ethereal Elegance

Name: Hanneli Mustaparta
Occupation: Blogger/Photographer/Stylist/Model
USP: Simple but effective

Name: Olivia Palermo
Occupation: Ummmm…
USP: Groomed n’ Glossy

There’s no way in hell I could possibly pick a favourite so instead I leave it down to you… which one of these four fabulously dressed females truly is the chicest of them all?

Love Ella. X

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 4 Comments

Olivia Palermo

Front Row and Fabulous: Olivia Palermo

I know I claimed that I wouldn’t be featuring pointless FROW-ers in these posts but how could I not include Olivia Palermo? I mean, does anyone even care whether or (more likely) not she ever works a day in her life? The girl is so ridiculously pretty and sickeningly stylish she was simply made to sit in the front row and no doubt will continue to do so for many seasons to come. After all, what good is having perfect cheekbones and world’s best wardrobe if you’re not going to spend your time getting papped?

My first close (well, close ish) encounter with Olivia was at the Tibi show in New York where she and Emma Roberts nearly caused several PR’s to be trampled by hoards of stampeding paparazzi. I then spotted Olivia again at the Jaeger show in London and am sorry to announce that she really is every bit a gorgeous as she looks on The City. I’ve heard through the grapevine that she isn’t actually as much of a bitch as she seems on the show which I personally find a tad disappointing but that, my friends, is another story.

No matter what continent she’s on or which show she attends, Olivia Palermo always looks the part. Her’s is the kind of style that a lucky few are simply born with and she mixes classic staples with statement pieces as only the pro’s know how. Olivia may not be a role model in terms of climbing the career ladder but my God can she dress to impress.

Love Ella. X

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 2 Comments

What’s YOUR fashion addiction?

Broadly speaking, shopaholics and clothes obsessives tend to fall in to certain catagories depending on their sartorial poison of choice. For some people that irresistable item is a beautiful pair of shoes, for others it’s a delicious new handbag. Well, as much as I adore (and frequently purchase) shoes and handbags my real fashion addiction has to be blouses. Surprised? Given the number of them that crop up in my outfit posts, I doubt it. Every time I return from a shopping trip, meeting, lunch date or visit to the dentist with yet another new blouse my friends and family dispair but what can I say? When I spy a Peter Pan collared chiffon number in the window of Whistles, I’m simply powerless to resist.

“My name’s Ella and I’m a blouse-aholic…”

After investing in what must be roughly my 30th blouse this afternoon, I got to thinking about fashion addictions and after a spot of internet browing came to the conclusion that even the most stylish dressers around have that one particular piece they just can’t get enough of. So in the interest of relieving post-purchase guilt over my weakness for all things blousey, I decided to expose a few celebrity fashion addictions. Admitedly not quite as juicy as the Kate Moss cocaine scandal but hey, it made me feel better.

Name: Alexa Chung
Profession: Model, TV Presenter & “It Girl”
Fashion Addiction: Brogues

Name: Olivia Palermo
Profession: Ermm… Professional FROW-er?
Fashion Addiction: Statement Necklaces

Name: Victoria Beckam
Profession: Pop Star, Fashion Designer & the original WAG
Fashion Addiction:Hermes Birkin Bags

If this doesn’t wipe away the shame factor from the repeat purchases that, let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of making then I don’t know what will. Now I’ve admitted mine and exposed theirs’ only one question remains… What’s YOUR fashion addiction?

Love Ella. X

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 7 Comments

La Petite Party Diaries: Vivienne Westwood “Get a Life” Party

It is a universally acknowleged truth that during Fashion Week, some of the juciest action goes down long after Somerset House shuts up shop for the night. Yes you may have been on your stiletto clad feet since the crack of dawn but with more fabulous soirees taking place every night than even the wildest of fashionistas could hope to attend, sleep is definitely not a priority. By day most people are far too busy rushing between shows, catching up on work and avoiding the dreaded February rain to get down to any serious socialising. After all, even the chauffer driven Vogue Range Rover is running to a pretty tight schedule. So it was at night that us London Fashion Weekers really came out to play, forcing our tired limbs away from our sofas and out on the town. You’d have to be a fool not to leap at the chance to mingle with fashion’s elite and if even that doesn’t entice you away from those pyjamas, then just think of the free champagne!

This season I made a resolution that no matter how exhausted I might be, there was to be NO flaking on worthwile parties. After a day of back-to-back shows, the idea of putting on an even more uncomfortable pair of 6 inch heels and venturing back out into the cold isn’t all that appealing. However, some soirees are more than worth a bit of initial pain and the Vivienne Westwood “Get a Life Party” was definitely one such event.

The party was held to celebrate the launch of Vivienne’s Palladium Jewellery collection, apparently inspired by her passion to stop climate change and preserve life. As the Grand Dame of Fashion herself so succinctly puts it…

“Get a Life is not about jewellery. Get a Life is about how we stop climate change and therefore preserve life for the next generation while at that same time get a better life”

A worthy cause indeed. Worthy enough to be celebrated with one of the most incredible parties I have ever attended in my life! The evening was held in the sumptuos surroundings of The Wallace Collection, and after a moment of confusion where we found ourselves lost amongst the priceless antiques, my party pal and I found our way to the enormous courtyard where the real action was happening. Everywhere was packed with beautiful, ridiculously well-dressed people mingling, dancing, guzzling champagne cocktails and getting snapped by the Vogue photographers circling the room.

The fashionable likes of Nick Grimshaw, Jo Wood, Olivia Palermo, Miranda Richardson, Cara Delvigne, Jodie Harsh and Roisin Murphy all showed up to join in the fun.

At one point I noticed Lily Cole enter wearing a particularly divine piece from the couture collection shortly before Brit award winner, and according to Justin Timberlake “the sexiest woman in music” Jessie J treated us to a performance of “Do it Like a Dude”.

Several hours and countless glasses of champagne later I managed to force myself into a cab and back in the direction of my bed. All in all, Vivienne’s shindig was an evening of excess and extravangance. We danced until our poor bruised tootsies could simply take no more. As you can probably imagine I was not at my most radiant the following morning but headaches and suspected sprained ankles be damned, it was worth it.

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Ella Catliff in Parties 7 Comments

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